City Hall Grade One Magistrate Rehema Nassozi Ssebowa has sent two men to Luzira Prison. They are facing charges of obtaining money dishonestly and planning a serious crime.
The accused individuals are James Mugisha, who lives in Kitende, Kajjansi Town Council in Wakiso District, and Godfrey Maviri, a resident of Munyonyo, Makindye Division in Kampala District. They appeared in court before Magistrate Nassozi on Wednesday.
The court was told that Mugisha and Maviri, along with others who are still on the run, allegedly committed these offenses between August and November 2021. These events took place at the NSB Advocates’ offices along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala City. Allegedly, they falsely claimed they were selling 53 kilograms of gold to a Korean citizen named Hyun UK Kim. The total amount involved was approximately Shillings 1.1 billion (US$300,000).
Furthermore, they are accused of conspiring to commit a serious crime during the same period and at the same location. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho Khaidarah, leading the prosecution, informed the court that the investigations had concluded. However, she requested a future date for mention because other suspects are still at large and need to be apprehended. Magistrate Nassozi informed the accused that they have the right to apply for bail.
Nevertheless, the suspects stated that they do not have anyone in court to act as sureties, leading the magistrate to order their remand until October 25th, 2023. Unofficial sources close to the matter reveal that James Mugisha, who was acquainted with the alleged gold seller, contacted the complainant. Subsequently, the Korean citizen met with the seller, accompanied by the seller’s supposed son and interpreter, after being picked up from the airport. Their meeting took place at the Imperial Residence Apartment, where they displayed the gold nuggets to the complainant. Later, they visited M/S NSB Advocates and Legal Consultants, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and received a deposit of US$208,000 from the complainant.
However, instead of arranging for land transportation as originally agreed, the complainant was told he needed to pay US$62,000 for Cargo Flight Insurance. During these transactions at the law firm, Godfrey Maviri allegedly accompanied the gold seller. Subsequently, investigators claim to have discovered six kilograms of gold nuggets during a search at Maviri’s residence.
It is noteworthy that some law firms in Kampala have faced accusations of being involved in gold scams, with claims of collusion with suspects. However, these firms maintain that they are solely providing legal services to clients and deny any involvement in wrongdoing beyond their legal responsibilities.